What’s Up With That? Student Parking Lot

"What's Up With That?" is a bi-weekly column written by Staff Writer Lucy Govoni.

In the state of Vermont people are legally allowed to drive when they turn 16, so it is no surprise that many Burlington High School students hit the road when getting to school each day. But the ride isn’t always smooth cruising. Those who drive to school are forced to park in the pothole-riddled, student lot.

Despite the conditions, students are required to pay $25 anually for a parking pass. Few actually do. The student parking lot is an all around confusing park of Burlington High School, and has the BHS Register asking… ”What’s Up With That?”

On any given day it is not uncommon to see a car driven by a student bump along into a parking space. Student often complain about the poor maintenance of the parking lot. This issue is one that BHS students are passionate about, especially because it has to do with private property.

“I drive a small car and by the time school is finished in June, I will need new shock absorbers,” she said.

Junior Oscar Felcan has a different issue with the lot. He believes the policy requiring students to purchase a $25 permit is “extremely annoying.”

“I went through the whole process of getting a permit and I never actually got one,” Felcan said. “I also paid money for no reason just so I can park in a pothole-filled unmaintained parking lot.”

Student Ian Donahue told the Register that he is bothered with the state of the parking lot and concerned for safety.

“The potholes in the student lot at BHS are worrisome and unsafe for drivers,” Donahue said.

Why is the student parking lot in such bad condition, and do students actually buy and use their parking permits? To give us some insight on these questions the Register asked Wilhelmina Kirk, a faculty member who sells the stickers.

“I have a whole bunch have not picked up their sticker that they put on the back of their car,” Kirk said, adding that the people who maintain and plow the lot are contracted by the Burlington School District.

A Register survey conducted this fall tallied the number of students who had passes over the course of three days. An average of only 20 percent of vehicles displayed an up-to-date sticker.

That was another successfully answered “What’s Up With That?”

“What’s Up With That?” is a bi-weekly column, where Staff Writer Lucy Govoni examines the topics that leave students curious about the high school. To suggest an idea, email register@bsdvt.org.